Symphonic Band Earns "Excellent" Rating
For the second time in as many years, the William Fleming High School Symphonic Band earned a rating of “II – Excellent” for its performance at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association District VI Concert Performance Assessment. The event was held Friday, March 3, at Heritage High School in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Concert Assessment is essentially the band’s SOL test where the ensemble’s performance is adjudicated based on an extensive rubric and standards. Three pieces are prepared for an on-stage performance with three judges. A separate judge assesses sight-reading ability, where the band performs music having never seen it before. The entire ensemble has only seven minutes to study the piece before the performance. All four adjudicators assign a rating, which are combined for an overall rating.
This is only the third time in over a decade that William Fleming has received an Excellent rating, and this year’s performance ranks as the highest scoring overall:
Stage Judge 1: II – Excellent
Stage Judge 2: II – Excellent
Stage Judge 3: III – Good
Sight Reading Judge: I – Superior
2016’s Excellent rating was a combination of straight Good ratings on stage and a Superior rating in sight reading. In 2012, the ensemble received the same stage ratings as 2017, but only an Excellent in sight reading.
2016 and 2017 are the only occasions since 2003 that the ensemble has earned a Superior rating from any judge, both given by the sight reading judge.
The Symphonic Band is comprised of 70 woodwind, brass, and percussion students who meet in separated classes every other day. The entire group gathers as a whole only 3-4 times prior to a performance, putting in additional time at after-school rehearsals to prepare for concerts. This year’s Concert Assessment program included: Colonel Bogey (March) by Kenneth Alford, arranged by Andrew Balent; Chester Variations by renowned band composer Elliot Del Borgo; and Last Full Measure (A Gettysburg Remembrance) by Michael Sweeney. The program was selected in conjunction with the 2017 Spring Trip to visit Gettysburg and Hershey, Pennsylvania.
As with any performance and developing ensemble, work remains to be done. We continue to lay the foundation that will eventually carry us to “superior” levels. In this program, we believe Colonel Pride is not permanent or something owed to us—it must be earned continually. Through our commitment to excellence, we hope to continue earning the pride and respect of our school and community.
Thank you for your support of the Fine Arts at William Fleming. The band would like to send warm wishes and good luck to our orchestra and choir programs for their own Assessment performances on March 7 and 16, respectively. For more information about Concert Assessment or the band program in general, please contact our office: 540.853.2342.
VBODA Rating Scale
I – Superior
II – Excellent
III – Good
IV – Fair
V – Poor
